India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in full but control it only in parts. Since India's partition and the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the nuclear-armed neighbours have fought wars over the territory.

The nuclear-armed rivals, which both claim Kashmir and administer separate parts of it, are at a dangerous crossroad after Tuesday’s militant attack, analysts said.

At least 26 people died and 17 others were injured when suspected militants opened fire at a popular tourist spot in the Pahalgam region of India's Jammu and Kashmir territory this week.